Russia tries to block WhatsApp, Telegram in communication blockade
Source: Bleeping Computer
WhatsApp Block in Russia
The Russian government is intensifying its crackdown on communication platforms outside its control and is attempting to block WhatsApp nationwide.
WhatsApp announced the action on X, calling it “a backwards step” that “can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.” The company assured its Russian users that it will continue doing everything it can to keep them connected.
According to Russian media, the country’s internet watchdog, Roskomnadzor, recently excluded the domains whatsapp.com and web.whatsapp.com from the National Domain Name System, citing the need to counter crime and fraud. In practice, this DNS removal makes WhatsApp services accessible only to users who employ VPN tools or external resolvers.
More aggressive measures are reportedly now in place, with the latest attempt to fully block WhatsApp in Russia. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has been designated as an “extremist” entity in Russia since 2022.
WhatsApp first faced restrictions in August 2025, when Roskomnadzor began throttling voice and video calls. In October 2025, authorities attempted to block new user registrations.
Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov reportedly stated that the authorities are open to allowing WhatsApp to resume operations, provided Meta complies with local legislation.
Telegram and the MAX Messenger
WhatsApp blocks came shortly after similar action was taken against Telegram, which was aggressively throttled earlier this week in Russia.
Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, responded by stating that Russia is trying to push its citizens toward the Kremlin‑controlled MAX messenger app.
MAX, a communications platform developed by VK, has been mandatory on all electronic devices sold in the country since September 2025. While promoted as a secure app that safeguards national communications from foreign surveillance, several independent reviewers have raised concerns about encryption weaknesses, government access, and extensive data‑collection risks.
Workarounds and Outlook
For now, users in Russia may continue accessing their preferred messengers by using VPN tools, though those are not immune to the government’s crackdown.